tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69316026773703811342024-03-19T03:02:17.109-07:00International Bodhisattva SanghaVen. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-56351929679282178192019-05-14T14:36:00.000-07:002019-05-14T14:37:30.860-07:00 IBS Prison Program <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The International Bodhisattva Sangha (IBS) Prison Program was founded in 1995 by Venerable Master Hueiguang. Before renouncing his life as a layman, Venerable Hueiguang was a student at the University of California in San Diego and was teaching classes on Buddhism at a local temple. His classes focused on how to apply the Dharma in western culture. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlQrRbpOHcXXwvP_4cByJXwOLXRC55GyIbcDL3SjA0R8uBje5_7YRBzDjAke__pQRxloEo1jX06KyTr1iHlJWAwGTkyJaYLsz0WGTfvrgNAdMwYsU_G3RsqlRWx17EZ0cmt2GD2TyubE/s1600/DSC00201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlQrRbpOHcXXwvP_4cByJXwOLXRC55GyIbcDL3SjA0R8uBje5_7YRBzDjAke__pQRxloEo1jX06KyTr1iHlJWAwGTkyJaYLsz0WGTfvrgNAdMwYsU_G3RsqlRWx17EZ0cmt2GD2TyubE/s320/DSC00201.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In 1994, he did an on-air interview with one of his students who was a disc jockey at a local radio station. They discussed how to handle relationships and personal problems from a Buddhist perspective. An inmate at the Calipatria State Prison in California who was listening to the radio program was inspired to write a heartfelt letter to the temple expressing his desire to learn more about Buddhism and meditation. In the letter, he requested Master Hueiguang to visit the prison and perhaps teach the inmates about Buddhism and meditation. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Since he was a student at a Buddhist college and a recently ordained monk, Venerable Hueiguang was unable to accommodate the request and meet with the inmates at that time. Despite his conflicting schedule and responsibilities, he was determined to fulfill the humble request of the inmate. He asked his devotees, Danny, and Shirley Tam, to fulfill the request as well as teach and spread the Dharma. That simple act initiated the IBS Prison Program which has continued for 12 years at Calipatria State Prison.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7tA-86TKggaHWHtUPNfETPzrR3Ol7kh-kU8ek-G5W8A6MaHGGYQ0ufml21VU5nG4m8A2Tyoiy8fjo14m5fFKr8gZGs_yRM6O8tNzgbTndrdOA-bwM_nwtw_so53mhqbTAClY9QN-q9I/s1600/15218531_1280020545404112_129110977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="960" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7tA-86TKggaHWHtUPNfETPzrR3Ol7kh-kU8ek-G5W8A6MaHGGYQ0ufml21VU5nG4m8A2Tyoiy8fjo14m5fFKr8gZGs_yRM6O8tNzgbTndrdOA-bwM_nwtw_so53mhqbTAClY9QN-q9I/s320/15218531_1280020545404112_129110977_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Venerable Hueiguang's first disciple, Venerable Xian Zhong (aka Tsering Motup) came to the U.S. to join the IBS program in January of 2008. Under the guidance of Venerable Xian Zhong, the IBS Prison Program has extended to many prisons in California, Washington State, and Oregon. IBS has established 48 sanghas and also created 105 Buddhist libraries within 32 prisons in California, 14 in Washington State, 5 in Arizona and 1 in Oregon State. Additionally, Venerable Xian Zhong and the IBS team have coordinated several multi-day meditation retreats in different California prisons. These meditation retreats were unique due to them being the first of their kind to be approved by a warden in the state of California. Since joining the prison program, IBS has been given the opportunity to visit 32 California prisons on a regular basis. Opening their heart to those who have lost their way, IBS continues to support individuals who are incarcerated to help them realize their true nature. With the belief that everyone deserves a second chance, many incarcerated individuals can benefit from Buddha's teachings. The IBS dream is to one day offer Dharma and meditation teachings to all state prisons in the United States.</span></div>
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Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-50194417130548050052018-01-11T14:18:00.001-08:002018-01-11T14:18:19.260-08:00Meditation in Prison<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nNuWLNFsRI" width="480"></iframe>Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-67110318374168477562016-02-14T08:53:00.001-08:002016-02-14T08:53:11.599-08:0010 Day Vipassana Course | Day 1 | English<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cz7QHNvNFfA" width="459"></iframe>Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-85250662705951068482014-03-24T22:57:00.002-07:002014-03-24T22:57:17.485-07:00受刑人寫的信<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ibstemple.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/969620_523808911022164_869367963_n.jpg"><img alt="969620_523808911022164_869367963_n" class="size-full wp-image-3017 aligncenter" height="328" src="http://www.ibstemple.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/969620_523808911022164_869367963_n.jpg" style="border: 5px solid gray;" width="525" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">親愛的顯中法師,Daniel,和 Shirley Tam:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">非常感謝您於二月九日星期天來C.C.I. Tehachapi。 您的探訪對我來說非常有意義,我亦因此感到非常高興。我很期待您下一次的到訪。</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">我學習佛法只有九個月的時間。最初,我只是有興趣學習 (冥想/坐禪)然而,我越是對佛法的認識加深,我越能夠感受到更實在的心靈上的支持。</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">我在基督教教義中長大。我在基督學校受教育,並在聖經學院畢業,之後還在教會服務了幾年。在基督教教義裡,我總是覺得我在努力成為一個不管我怎麼努力都無法成為的人。</span></span></div>
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在佛法裡讓我為之一振的是,人們能毫不修飾地、完完全全地去接受自己。我發現練習(冥想/坐禪)是個比較實際的方法來處理心靈上的問題,而不是依賴一些超自然力量來改變自己的思想。</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">我於二零零二年入獄,而出獄時間將會在二零二二年。我深信在我過去八年的鐵窗生涯裡,學習佛法 (冥想/坐禪)對我甚有裨益。最近,我開始於每天早上四至五時念經和坐禪。這個時候的寢室是最為安靜,而我則可以在一覺好眠後精神飽滿地準備做早課。</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">我的佛法資料基本來自我們禪堂裡的書籍。每週日下午,我們的僧伽都會聚集在一起說說佛
法和坐禪。我每星期都會到佛教圖書館去找些佛學書籍和光碟。
我每天都花些時間閱讀佛學作品和聆聽佛法講座的光碟。這些佛學書籍上的資料非常寶貴,有助於我的禪修和對佛法有更深入的了解。從中,我亦更能夠選擇適合自
己的練習方式。</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">你們的探訪,對於我繼續對佛法的學習和修練起了很大的鼓勵作用。我希望在我的鐵窗生涯裡能夠繼續與IBS保持聯繫,並且成為您僧伽裡的活躍成員。</span></span></div>
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Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-8376773740411480752014-03-06T11:14:00.001-08:002014-03-06T11:14:18.512-08:00受刑人的來信<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> <br /><span style="color: #660000;"> 敬致 顯中法師, 2014年2月15日<br /> 在封信的附件是禪修營參加者的名單,一共有39人。我已按照大家在禪修營的當天所居住的單位來排序。我不知道批准的名單,是否能在禪修營開始之前批准下來,不過這裡所附上的名單,在當日早上可以用來通知各個單位的參加者。<br /> 依我們了解,若來不及取得監獄的批准,禪修營舉辦的日期可能會有所改變,請隨時告知我們。大家都承諾要出席,並且非常渴望參與此次活動,聆聽由您教授的禪法。<br /> 如果有任何最後的更改,或增加需知的事項,請寫信告訴我。目前所有送到監獄的信件,都需要大約10到14天辦理。<br /> 很期望收到您的來信。<br /> 觀則 敬上</span></span></span>Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-87360044422043731132014-01-28T23:34:00.000-08:002014-01-28T23:34:48.082-08:00供養念珠<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="userContent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">美國菩薩寺非常感謝方士袣及許佩玲居士,每一年供養100條念珠給監獄弘法,我們的師父
慧光法師每一年四月或五月時,會特別回來美國監獄弘法。師父回來的時候,我們都會特別安排傳授三皈五戒的活動。發心受三皈五戒的受刑人,都會收到一條
108顆的念珠。許多年來,都是由方居士所供養。再次感恩方居士的發心,長期提供念珠給受刑人用功修道。這照片是今年方居士要供養給的念珠,是黃花梨木
(fragrant rosewood)的珠子。功德無量,阿彌陀佛!!!</span></span></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-29279297115049120142014-01-03T21:49:00.001-08:002014-01-03T21:54:42.581-08:00香巴拉出版社的護持<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vj0zNMRg5xZlKypOMX4DJLqpThxWVJefStT1koG7ZmDF8P48ODhcQEXJF62njedLzwDeyPqj1Sl5zMCzTIFkR21l3nS2SVNjr9UOy25KAzkyAF7C4zBYzwNBy27GF7jToKHAdIEZY9I/s1600/Books+from+Shambala+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vj0zNMRg5xZlKypOMX4DJLqpThxWVJefStT1koG7ZmDF8P48ODhcQEXJF62njedLzwDeyPqj1Sl5zMCzTIFkR21l3nS2SVNjr9UOy25KAzkyAF7C4zBYzwNBy27GF7jToKHAdIEZY9I/s400/Books+from+Shambala+.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">今天美國菩薩寺收到美國著名的佛教出版社,香巴拉出版社的16本新書捐贈,以贊助我們發心在美國加州36所監獄成立佛教圖書館,在這些監獄內都有4000到5000個囚犯,從這樣眾多的人數,我們可以知道,這是個嚴重的社會問題。</span><br data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[1]" /><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[2]">本
寺很感恩香巴拉出版社的慈悲贊助,因為這些曾犯過罪的人,需要我們更多人的關心,並以佛法來淨化他們的身心,讓他們改過自新,而香巴拉出版社的支援,讓我
們的願望得以更進一步地實現。再者,要誠摯地感恩Michelle
Chang居士的發心,協助聯絡申請,才有辦法讓我們獲得香巴拉出版社的書籍。阿彌陀佛!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[2]"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[2]"></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[2]"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">“以無所得心,行一切善法. ”</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[sp7l].[1][3][1]{comment622443201137973_622481101134183}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[2]">
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">International Bodhisattva Sangha (IBS)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">12584 Sora Way</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">San Diego CA 92129</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Phone: 1+619-450-3699</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Fax: 1+858-484-1889</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">E-mail:- ibs@ibstemple.us</span></span></div>
</span></span></span></span></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-32462747264800766292013-12-14T09:13:00.005-08:002014-03-06T11:19:16.301-08:00Dharma in my life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbc469RDmIcSlGWTj2w1LuyseDxoSHnYV9SUovxPYFxzGqsIDEj-00z8n3RZ-atPF-u3WYgX5sjLfsB2FkClPUm5qhLzvv_eUONtCA72doDtLzG9gd6_ZtOWTZRXt_HDHeVjQ94gjdJx8/s1600/Chuckawalla+State+Prison+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbc469RDmIcSlGWTj2w1LuyseDxoSHnYV9SUovxPYFxzGqsIDEj-00z8n3RZ-atPF-u3WYgX5sjLfsB2FkClPUm5qhLzvv_eUONtCA72doDtLzG9gd6_ZtOWTZRXt_HDHeVjQ94gjdJx8/s400/Chuckawalla+State+Prison+2.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">My name is Guan Rong, I am 55 years of age and I’m a member
of the Blue Lotus Sangha at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison – Delta Facility
(CVSP-D). I been incarcerated for
the past 35 years. I’ve been studying Buddhism for about two and half years.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I started studying Buddhism because I wanted to change my
way of living. A friend invited me
to a Buddhist service here (CVSP-D) that was being given by Venerable
Zhong. I did not know what to
expect until I sat there listening to everything Venerable said and to what the
other Buddhist Brothers were talking about which made me start to think.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My Study of Buddhism has helped me a lot, in so many
ways. When I told my family that I
was studying Buddhism they laughed at me in the beginning, but as time went on,
they started to see that I became a happier person. My faith along with my meditation has helped me open up to
them and they recognize that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When I took the 5-Precepts, I did not know what it was until
that day, May 22, 2012, the day of my ordination and through out that day, I
see a lot of things in a different way.
Just like the first Precept says “No Killing” there was this guy who
kicks this little kangaroo mouse and broke his leg. I could not let it go, so my friend has brought the kangaroo
mouse me and I nurture the mouse back to health. Now the mouse has become a pet, like a little dog, its like
kangaroo mouse is part of the family.
That is what the first precept taught me that everything has the right
to live, and that the kangaroo mouse could have been some one who came back in
another life.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What I want to learn about Buddhism? Is how to deal with the
everyday part of life and to know everything about Buddhism that way I can help
other people out the way, it has help me understand the way of life in the
world today. The one person who
has help me out a lot, it is like my son he has always been there for me all
the time he will be there to make sure I do my studies each day.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My meditation practice that we do has help me control my
anger where people or something gets me upset, I would just lay down on my back
and do my relax meditation for an hour but most of the time I’ll do my
meditation in the morning. But my
interest in taking this course is to help me better understand about Buddhism,
meditation and the Dharma but most all to know about what I believe in. And I want my family to accept me for
my belief because my study of Buddhism, I am now seeing things in a different
eye.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">But my current understand of Buddhism is a long way
off. There is a lot I need to know
about being a good Buddhist. I
want to be able to help people and to where I can teach Buddhism to other
people, and mostly to better understand my faith. If I would of studying Buddhism sooner, I think I would have
been a better person and I would shown compassion for the world sooner.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The teachings that we get helps us. Our family gets the enlightenment which
helps myself and other Buddhist understand the Buddha’s life. For me I just want everyone to be
honest and try to understand life and to help each other if they have faith or
not it is up to us to help each other always. My Buddhist studies help me a lot now, and I’ll always read
Dharma and pray to Buddha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">With Metta </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Guan Rong </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><br />
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</span></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-84860913411151856262013-12-12T09:14:00.003-08:002014-03-06T11:23:21.629-08:00結個善緣<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">"結個善緣</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">”</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">對於對我們有自由之身的人是很容易做到的事:</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">江奶奶帶著</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">歲</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> </span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">的孫女兒文文在公園裡看鴨子,文文把本來已經放到嘴邊要咬下去的餅乾,忽然楞了一下,學著旁邊餵鴨子的遊客,把手中的餅乾給扔了出去給鴨子們吃。奶奶:</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> <span lang="ZH-TW">“</span></span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">文文好乖,餵鴨鴨吃餅乾</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">”</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">,文文自己給自己拍拍手,鼓勵自己好棒。一個好的榜樣是善緣,一塊餅乾更是文文與鴨子間結下的善緣,奶奶鼓勵的話也是善緣。</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"><br />
</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">陳先生加班回到家已經晚上</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">10</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">點半,太太準備熱點心給先生,陳先生回報以</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">「我前世修來的福氣」,陳太太開心的偷笑著</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">---</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">一句貼心的好話是善緣!</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">每天早上到公園散步的行人,互不認識卻能給予彼此一個友善的眼神、一個微笑、一聲早安,那都是善緣。我</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> </span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">們的一位網絡義工,每天把一份供養佛菩薩的食物放在後院草坪上,讓各種到處覓食的鳥得以品嘗一點「加持過的中國素菜」,她本來還擔心誰來吃呢?後來發現來</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> </span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">吃的動物們可多了,從烏鴉、海鷗、老鼠、鴿子、松鼠、各類小鳥,甚至是鄰居的狗和貓。久而久之,小鳥們都知道這戶人家有東西吃,烏鴉們會在用餐時間在後院</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> </span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">草坪上大叫幾聲,小鳥們甚至飛到二樓的陽臺邊吱吱喳喳的叫著</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">「食</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> </span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">物吃完了,我們餓了,還有嗎?」義工報導說,她會多買一些吐司麵包,萬一來一群鳥不夠吃時,再加菜一下,她發現只要另外加的份,烏鴉們一定會先「啊啊啊」</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> </span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">之後才吃,人們的「謝謝」只有兩個字,烏鴉們卻說了三聲:「謝謝謝」),義工說,這是她最快樂的事,鳥得到了食物當然牠們也是快樂的,人和鳥間的善緣從此</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> </span></b><b><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 新細明體; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">建立了</span></b><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: BiauKai; font-size: 17pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-43056804891665469892013-10-24T12:01:00.002-07:002013-10-24T12:01:30.356-07:00監獄佛教圖書館<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ibstemple.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Books.png"><img alt="Books" class="size-full wp-image-3138 aligncenter" height="379" src="http://www.ibstemple.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Books.png" style="border: 7px solid gray;" width="554" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">美
國菩薩寺今天收到兩箱美國淨宗學會寄過來的佛教書籍。 我們非常感謝淨宗學會的法友們
不斷的發心護持。我們這次收到的書籍都會送到新的監獄的圖書館。監獄的圖書館也需要各宗派的書籍,希望多一些人捐藏傳佛教的法寶,監獄的圖書館很缺藏傳佛
教的書。光是在加州就有三十 六家監獄,美國菩薩寺慢慢的每一家都會盡我們的力量去成立圖書館。如果有心想要在書籍或經費方面幫
助的話,請跟我們聯絡。</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">”世界上沒有所謂的壞人,但有一時無明犯錯的人”。</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">希望每一個人都有機會聽聞佛法,我們讓受刑人給因緣修行,當他們放出來才在社會不會恐亂。希望世界和平,大家快樂。 阿彌陀佛教!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">International Bodhisattva Sangha (IBS)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">12584 Sora Way<br />
San Diego CA 92129<br />
Phone: 1+619-450-3699<br />
E-mail: ibs@ibstemple.us</span></div>
</div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-14844159727398485632013-06-25T12:21:00.004-07:002013-06-25T12:21:44.211-07:00Finding Myself
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4iEhBbS8_iu39a_2paN6DR6fGra5KaW6tTH1la-211CRo7BFgSwomO2TW8GsveN4XEr1LH21Ha9A8cSVb1kLl6gvanN-XSpml-78a1_huwTWNnIuZi4vH121QGF9rbOBWXwpwAmZ5ww/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4iEhBbS8_iu39a_2paN6DR6fGra5KaW6tTH1la-211CRo7BFgSwomO2TW8GsveN4XEr1LH21Ha9A8cSVb1kLl6gvanN-XSpml-78a1_huwTWNnIuZi4vH121QGF9rbOBWXwpwAmZ5ww/s400/images-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dear IBS, <span> </span>Date
6/12/2013</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Peace and humble greetings. My name is Gino
Alexander Vallejo. I am trying my best to seeking for the truth. I have been a
Buddhist almost my whole meager 40 years of life. I have just recently retaken
my vows of the five precepts and three refuges back in March 8, 2013 at Chuckawalla
State Prison. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>I felt as if I was reborn a new. Over the
past 20 years in prison. I had grown in wrongness and took part in wrong
speech, wrong thinking and most of all. I had grown cruel and dispassionate to
my fellow men. I had forgotten… NO! I chose the easy path of deception and
hate.<span> </span>My stay in Chuckawalla State
Prison was very short. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found myself going to Buddhist
service. And had started to find myself once more. And when I got to meet
Master Hueiguang and Ven. Xianzhong and took my vows. I had not happiness right
away. But I found sorrow and pain to those that I have wronged. And so I found
myself surrounded by other who must have felt as I have. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then I found joy in the fact
that these other inmates. These monks and the other people from IBS who took
their time out of there lives to bring the word of Buddha for those who are
like me with the loss of hope and peace. Have given the gift of love and
compassion free of will and light of heart. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">For I feel truly blessed and
honored to take my vows. I was to get my new Dharma Name on the next visit of
the IBS Buddhist service. I was transferred the next day due to some medical
issue. Please send my Dharma name certificate with some Dharma books. Looking
forward to hear from you soon. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thank you for your time and what you do for us. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Namo Amitabha Buddha</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gino</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-89502798812799459522013-06-12T09:57:00.001-07:002013-06-25T12:23:47.828-07:00FOR OUR TEACHERS AND OUR SANGHA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVo_YF72sIV5pWwP0qm3VI6BAfXIAFhFXNVg5ivQs0MTWiZ0hzQSGTt8t3wl6JpDD7Pbxb25XkzP8ZWiTRm4bNOq7MWrBouEGN22Ihv2hnr4coJtXUpLCLXQ12R-9uOmgRKs5ue_xj60/s1600/IMG_4346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVo_YF72sIV5pWwP0qm3VI6BAfXIAFhFXNVg5ivQs0MTWiZ0hzQSGTt8t3wl6JpDD7Pbxb25XkzP8ZWiTRm4bNOq7MWrBouEGN22Ihv2hnr4coJtXUpLCLXQ12R-9uOmgRKs5ue_xj60/s400/IMG_4346.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times;">As
a practitioner of the dharma who had “fallen off the path”, the only good thing
about being incarcerated was in meeting to compassionate brothers and sisters
from IBS. My friends tried to put a “positive spin” on things and had told me. “You
should become a prison monk and turn your cell into a monastery.” Easy for them
to say! But these completely selfless people actually helped to make this a
reality for me.</span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times;">The
brothers and sisters from IBS grounded us in the foundational and preliminary
practices first and then, slowly, over the years have introduced more advanced
methods. We always return, however, to the foundational work and this has
proved to be of most benefit to the new meditators as well as those of us with
a little more experience. After all, we would not be in prison if we had
remained firm in our foundation.</span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times;">Many
of us have been privileged to take Refuge and Five Precepts vows before
Venerable Hueiguang. I can not express the gratitude we feel to have an
international recognized Buddhist and lineage holder come tot his remote place
to visit prisoners that most people would rather not think about. This is true
compassion – this is the work of a bodhisattva!!</span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times;">The
second time that I met Venerable Master Hueiguang, my grandmother had just died
the day before and I felt that a whole piece of me was missing. He could feel
my sadness before I really even said anything. He reached out and wrapped me in
his robes and I felt as if I were being nurtured by the whole universe. I felt
so safe and love ad protected. He led a short funeral service for her (I guess
it was really for me) and I was able let her go with a sense of gratitude for
her life. This is true compassion – this is the work of a bodhisattva!!</span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times;">When
I met Venerable Xian Zhong, I was transfixed. I felt as if I already knew him
and his smile was just so infectious. His glance was one of encouragement and
somehow an acknowledgement that I already had the qualities of Buddha nature
inside my heart and mind. He can say so much with no words at all and we all
love him for this. He makes each and every brother feel welcome and included.
And when he leads the Metta Meditation, one knows beyond a doubt that the
loving kindness that we are sending out is very, very real!!</span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times;">When
Venerable Master Hueiguang taught our Sangha, Venerable Xian Zhong sat at his
feet – this was for well over an hour. He had such a look of utter devotion on
his face that my heart melted. This monk was the very embodiment of devotion
and it re-inspired me to deeper devotion as well. I was also inspired to hand
copy Lama Tsongkhapa’s text on the “foundation of all good qualities…”</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times;">It
is difficult to truly express all that our beloved brothers and sisters of IBS
have done for us because it has not been so much in the <i>doing</i> as in the <i>being. </i>Yes, they have given us
kindness, compassion, wisdom, teachings and everything that a good Buddhist
should give- but they have given us a family to be a part of…a Sangha to belong
to, to love and nurture and cultivate. How can one express one’s feelings for
one’s family? It just is….</span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-71553156728648461272013-05-28T12:54:00.001-07:002013-05-28T12:55:12.066-07:00Blue Lotus Sangha (Chuckawalla State Prison)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio40XSbwLGvVqa8SsSlkOiDuOshZ5OXqFDhtMdbv3yz4G8O_jQVakDfgXPFaSL0JskgKN0TdHfldyUHlPRfN4RFr3maGXdv1V_I1A3HybeWhuR7azi0wolkYkgBvVBihwHDUPhn84eHPk/s1600/Guan-Yin-Poo-Sat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio40XSbwLGvVqa8SsSlkOiDuOshZ5OXqFDhtMdbv3yz4G8O_jQVakDfgXPFaSL0JskgKN0TdHfldyUHlPRfN4RFr3maGXdv1V_I1A3HybeWhuR7azi0wolkYkgBvVBihwHDUPhn84eHPk/s400/Guan-Yin-Poo-Sat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dear Venerable Zhong, Mr Daniel and Ms. Shirley, May, 2013</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It is with a light and bounteous heart that write to
you all today. I would like to extend to you my deepest respect and thanks for
the beautiful ceremony yesterday. In a world full of hate, ignorance, greed,
and discontent, it never cease to amaze me that people like yourselves are out
there in the world who work tirelessly and selflessly for the betterment of all
people, despite the wrongs they have committed. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I had an opportunity to read the IBS Prison Program
in the San Diego California book. I have to say that I awestruck at the help,
both financial as well as physical, that IBS gets for such an unusual project.
Most people shun the thought of helping those in prison. They feel that we have
it too easy, and in some regards, we do. However, incredible people overcome
the stereotype that is labeled on us and have the courage and strength of
conviction to see that suffering is universal, regardless of our station in
life and are willing to provide help in whatever capacity they can. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Yesterday was perhaps the happiest day I have had in
recent memory. Last year when I took the Five Precepts and took refuge in the
Triple Gems, I really did not understand what I was trying to commit myself to.
I thought that it was expected of my by some of my peers. This year, however, I
really listened deeply the Master Dharma talk on The Five Precepts and what it
means take up the vows. It is sometimes hard to understand since we are not yet
enlightened, we are going to break some of the vows once in a while. The
important thing is to keep in mind that we learn from the errors in thinking
and strive to not repeat the mistake. I feel as though I have turned a corner
in the path of my practice. I feel as though I have gained insight into what it
is I am really trying to accomplish and why. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am going to close for now. I just wanted to say thank you so much for
all you do and for caring so deeply for us. I consider you all a part of my
family and look forward to the day we can all meet at the temple. Please take
care of yourselves. I hope you had a safe journey home and continue to have
safe journey. Until next month.. Amithofo</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">With Metta </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Noel. (Guan Ai)</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-7165939806892595342013-05-25T11:17:00.000-07:002013-05-25T11:20:52.867-07:00Shanti Sangha ( Chino State Prison)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh2ZayMNANEm6IBi6Tgy6A9zg8rgEsOCKIkM9GXM41mhPpCrKRnUi1nG-XuTHwJJIiN6z1j3WGAId3QBZ_YSsiGpIN6clObZKGO7gHuQtfPlc5NGSw4jTwdyMAARhPYmVpNDz6rjvYVA/s1600/63193_444260172319478_1471240603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh2ZayMNANEm6IBi6Tgy6A9zg8rgEsOCKIkM9GXM41mhPpCrKRnUi1nG-XuTHwJJIiN6z1j3WGAId3QBZ_YSsiGpIN6clObZKGO7gHuQtfPlc5NGSw4jTwdyMAARhPYmVpNDz6rjvYVA/s400/63193_444260172319478_1471240603_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">Dear
Venerable Master Huei Guang, Date: 5-13-2013</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">It
was auspicious that it rained during the Buddha’s Vasak retreat. This is a rare event in Southern
California, as is the opportunity to ordain into the Buddha’s Sangh as a lay
disciple. It was truly a great honor to be given the Triple Gem of the Three
Refuges and the Five Precepts of the Buddhist laity by one as compassionate and
wise as yourself. You are a true Bodhisattva, There are so very few in the
world who would direct their attention to us who serve prison sentences. We
languish in our own self created misery, unmindful, deluded, full of craving
and wrong thought, until we are visited by you, by Venerable Xian Zhong and by
everyone from International Bodhisattva Sangha (IBS) who bring the light, the
wisdom, and the hope of the Buddha to us. I am forever grateful. I am reminded
of a verse from the Dharmapada. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">“Even
from within a heap of rubbish, dumped and discarded by the highway’s
side-there, a lotus may take root and arise gladdening the mind with its sweet
perfume. Thus, from among the discarded of men, the masses in darkness,
mentally blind, does one of surpassing wisdom arise, who hears the Rightly
Self-Awakened One.” (Dh. 58-59)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: 新細明體;">我誠諾竭盡所能遵隨佛祖的教悔在您的指引和教導下成長,阿彌陀佛!!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: 新細明體;">Sincerely,
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: 新細明體;">Barnett</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-67601167020218795872013-05-16T23:31:00.001-07:002013-05-16T23:31:12.315-07:00The Heart Sutra in English <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WmAE1ZkOSP4" width="480"></iframe>Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-35173859105546969402013-03-27T22:01:00.000-07:002013-03-27T22:01:02.455-07:00 Metta (Loving Kindness) Meditation <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnD1H1aM3zDfHLELPKaYmP4ug63a7Hwi87LEgy0HYi01alJ736SJRA2ojJpQ3aGPSZhrcSvlRrd3CPe1o5_98Tnw6LqWt__YEZhyU8qYoqNZZCPZ0JnYkweWBdDs1dcybi-ExAEHt_-o/s1600/P1020343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnD1H1aM3zDfHLELPKaYmP4ug63a7Hwi87LEgy0HYi01alJ736SJRA2ojJpQ3aGPSZhrcSvlRrd3CPe1o5_98Tnw6LqWt__YEZhyU8qYoqNZZCPZ0JnYkweWBdDs1dcybi-ExAEHt_-o/s400/P1020343.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span><div class="post-header">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="post-header" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="post-header" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">This
excellent meditation derives from the Discourse on Loving-kindness
(Metta Sutta) given by Buddha Shakyauni 2500 years ago. The loving
-kindness he spoke of then is till the deepest need of the world today.
the Pali word metta (maitri in Sanskrit) means universal
loving-Kindness, friendliness, and goodwill free from expectation and
possessiveness. Metta is an all-embracing love-a sincere desire for the
happiness and well-being of others. With this sublime heart of love,
we express care and concern for all beings through benevolent through
benevolent thoughts, feelings, and words, as well as through selfless
acts of kindness and generosity.</span><br /><span style="color: #990000;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">To
cultivate this sublime loving-kindness, we must allow our hearts to
open, embracing ourselves and others with compassion and unconditional
love. Including this meditation in our practice of loving-kindness
brings immense benefit. We develop the valuable skill of concentration.
We dissolve the barriers in and negativity into courage and kindness,
and we learn to care for and love all beings without exception. The
radiance of our loving-kindness brings protection from harmful
influences and offers blessings and beneficence to all it
touches.Spiritual development and ultimate awakening are based upon the
firm foundation of loving-kindness for all beings. To help establish
this essential foundation. Practice this meditation daily for 15 to 20
minutes.</span><br /><span style="color: #990000;"></span><br /><span style="color: #990000;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><div align="justify">
1)
Begin by directing loving –kindness toward yourself. By overcoming
any sense of unworthiness and Allow the heartfelt radiance of loving
–kindness to fill your being as you recite each phrase of this
meditation slowly and with deep feeling: May my heart be filled with
happiness and peace, May I be free from all kinds of sufferings. When
you heart is full of loving kindness and happiness, extend your
Happiness to others.</div>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"></span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><div align="justify">
2)
Visualize a person for whom you feel love, respect. And gratitude.
Radiate heartfelt loving-kindness to this person as you recite each
phrase slowly: May your heart be filled with happiness and peace…May
you be free form all kind of sufferings and so on..</div>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><div align="justify">
3)
Visualize a person toward whom you feel neutral or indifferent.
Radiate heartfelt loving-kindness to this person as like oneself.</div>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;"></span><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><div align="justify">
4)
Visualize a person with whom you experience fear, hurt, conflict,
resentment, anger or aversion. Although it may be challenging, radiate
heartfelt loving-kindness to this person as well.</div>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><div align="justify">
5)
Finally, radiate heartfelt loving-kindness to all living beings
throughout all realms of existence: May the hearts of all beings be
filled with happiness and peace..</div>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><span style="color: #990000;"></span><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><div align="justify">
When
there is love in our hearts, there will be love in the world. When
there is peace in our hearts, there will be peace in the world. Practice
this loving-kindness meditation often and cherish all living beings
with a bou</div>
</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-12244345707214993192013-03-20T08:20:00.000-07:002013-03-20T08:20:11.509-07:00It is Blessing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BozbceQ9DEBsqu9AZ5RUdTlhrTdU8h8pOkB1wN-6j_WVIDd1LXIuupiaz3RoP21w3p9Yi0deXUEcVkwROLo5dZzDfAu-AwIDQTCyzBwoABfhHkXOYp-2vRAnOMAu3z-EQbmarqZFEeY/s1600/Buddha+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BozbceQ9DEBsqu9AZ5RUdTlhrTdU8h8pOkB1wN-6j_WVIDd1LXIuupiaz3RoP21w3p9Yi0deXUEcVkwROLo5dZzDfAu-AwIDQTCyzBwoABfhHkXOYp-2vRAnOMAu3z-EQbmarqZFEeY/s320/Buddha+1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">Although I’m not
sure how to explain it, life leads me to Buddhism. I grew up in what I
believed was a traditional Christian environment, but the person who I
looked to develop on understanding of Christianity wasn’t exactly a
traditional Christian. I used to watch my mother do yoga and light
meditative practices every morning, attempt to learn Tai Chi
occasionally and then go to Church on Sunday. Of course, because I knew
nothing else, I could only assume that this wa what the Christians were
all doing. As I got older and began deciphering the difference between
religious path and their practices, the early exposure to different
practice prevented me from developing a discriminatory view towards
other religions and grew into a desire to study them all to find what
they had to offer to mankind. Eventually I found Siddha Yoga which
emphasized self-discovery through right understanding and meditation.
Around this time I had been incaicflated and sent to prison. Prison gave
me an environment that was fasting, meditating, praying and studying
extensively. Without the many distraction that come with daily life, I
was able to work on myself and with the challenges prison posses the
ego, I was able to witness my progress through daily experience. My
conduct and behavior naturally drew me toward individuals of similar
understandings who informed me about Buddhism. No too long afterward I
signed up to attend the Buddhist service.</span><br /><span style="color: #660000;"></span><br /><span style="color: #660000;">I’ve
come to Buddhism seeking knowledge of self, wisdom and understanding
of life. Ultimately, I hope to achieve self-mastery and do believe that
the practices prescribed by the Buddha can help. Although I am still
fairly new to Buddhism, I have been given a clearer understood of what
self mastery is and how to reach it.</span><br /><span style="color: #660000;">Rachee </span></span></span></div>
</div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-36807151421811985082013-03-04T14:50:00.001-08:002013-03-04T14:50:56.127-08:00Buddhist Service in prison
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WEhlgEBRkGWQeTjeRagDGyiP87p2mVHE1rfyAngFlz6ojv2by3QyNlPV7kpCZu8OEQzRN-AyZfYiKs_m_NIUFb38x3m9yK5qzyqxQSAwVVP-KFjY6Bf95JStmvzdqGOdcTFnN7yNIWA/s1600/poppy-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WEhlgEBRkGWQeTjeRagDGyiP87p2mVHE1rfyAngFlz6ojv2by3QyNlPV7kpCZu8OEQzRN-AyZfYiKs_m_NIUFb38x3m9yK5qzyqxQSAwVVP-KFjY6Bf95JStmvzdqGOdcTFnN7yNIWA/s400/poppy-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dear IBS</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Early last year I became
interested in your Buddhist Services and consequently took the five precepts in
March 2012. I am very grateful for the access to all of the services every
month by the International Bodhisattva Sangha (IBS)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Though I am new to Buddhism, I
have gained some insight into the way of the path. This has given me some
structure in life. I sometimes stray from the path but never forget to get back
on the path. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span> </span>Buddhism has illuminated and awaked my inner
Buddha! </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span> </span>I recently transferred from Chukawalla Valley State
Prison up to the Newley converted Valley State Prison in Chowchilla. I
immediately contacted the chapel here for Buddhist services. There is no formal
such service here as yet. But on my second visit the chaplain read a letter to
us from Shirley. Where She as reached out the warden for permission to initiate
some sort of outside facilitation of Buddhist support. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish to thank Shirley, Danny,
Vernerable Zhong, and IBS founder Master Hueiguang. I am also thankful to the
Desert Lotus Sangha at Chuckawalla State Prison to help my in my daily
practice. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">With Metta </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Joseph (Guan Wu)</span></span></span></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-89205200705022688472013-02-26T19:42:00.001-08:002013-02-26T19:42:43.110-08:00 Emptiness <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXMy66bnNMYLw80ylBaVvN2CvpwxDduDQhL1nUgil0CqTnTCyX-VSpOJh-KZjcYayB48iWdvodbJrnocdnSJGLbGSzTbd2Diug5lPdCVvF7CayI5pTrCoq479w8T1i3mChjW8_0H9qeY/s1600/6880197728_afae7afbf0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXMy66bnNMYLw80ylBaVvN2CvpwxDduDQhL1nUgil0CqTnTCyX-VSpOJh-KZjcYayB48iWdvodbJrnocdnSJGLbGSzTbd2Diug5lPdCVvF7CayI5pTrCoq479w8T1i3mChjW8_0H9qeY/s400/6880197728_afae7afbf0_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="post-header" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span><span style="font-style: italic;">Shunyata
is a key concept in Buddhist philosophy, more specifically in the
ontology of Mahayana Buddhism: ''Form is emptiness, and emptiness is
form.'' This is the paradox of the concept </span> .</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Emptiness
is not to be confused with nothingness. Emptiness is non-existence but
not nothingness. Also, it is not non-reality. Emptiness means that an
object, animate or inanimate, does not have its own existence
independently. It has its meaning and existence only when all the
elements or components it is made of come into play and we can
understand and impute its existence clearly.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>By way of
explanation, we are asked to observe a cup or any other container. Is
the cup empty when it does not contain any liquid or solid in it? We say
yes, it's empty. But is it really empty? No, it's not. It is full of
air. Even when the glass is in a state of vacuum, it is not empty. It
still contains space, radiation and maybe light.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Therefore the
Buddhist point of view differs from convention. The cup is always full
of something or the other. To describe it philosophically, the cup is
devoid of its inherent existence. It has come into existence because of
many other conditions coming into play.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>It is because of these
intricacies that the Buddhist concept of emptiness is often taken as
nihilism. Scholars opine that western philosophy probably had a role in
creating this misconception. Nihilism as a concept means that reality
is unknown and unknowable, and that nothing exists. Whereas the
Buddhist concept of emptiness says that ultimate reality is knowable,
and that in no case should the concept of emptiness be taken to mean
nothingness.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Plato held the view that there is an ideal essence
in everything that we have around us, whether animate or inanimate.
After all, ''the essence of the cup ultimately exists in the realm of
the mind.'' The Dalai Lama says that <span style="font-style: italic;"> Shunyata </span> is the absence of an absolute essence or independent existence. If a thing exists, it is because of several other factors.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>One might as well ask: Is it possible to have a partless phenomenon? According to the <span style="font-style: italic;"> Madhyamika </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>The Dalai Lama's book, <span style="font-style: italic;"> Art of Living </span>
, makes our understanding of the perception of reality clearer. He
says, ''as your insight into the ultimate nature is deepened and
enhanced, you will develop a perception of reality from which you will
perceive phenomena and events as sort of illusory. And that mode of
perceiving reality will permeate all your interactions with reality.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>
Even emptiness itself, which is seen as the ultimate nature of reality,
is not absolute, nor does it exist independently. We cannot conceive
of emptiness as independent of a basis of phenomenon, because when we
examine the nature of reality, we find that emptiness itself is an
object. Look for its essence and we will find that it is empty of
inherent existence. Therefore, the Buddha taught of the emptiness of
emptiness.''</span></span></span></span></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-64947619697282694372013-02-25T02:35:00.004-08:002013-02-25T02:35:22.511-08:00The gold finger<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuRwwXIOM7yvmtzlnqQMrNT2iaEvYvWLJjC-OXl0t0MQbdav8DJPRTowxPXzrUIk8mnj_yja_VIZnD1HqzT03vgeSsqMHK3DUUVTJDuCcf5M4VXsDey5bJ2LzDl-j8sXKU7DNpMOSj_ih/s1600/DSC_2702.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuRwwXIOM7yvmtzlnqQMrNT2iaEvYvWLJjC-OXl0t0MQbdav8DJPRTowxPXzrUIk8mnj_yja_VIZnD1HqzT03vgeSsqMHK3DUUVTJDuCcf5M4VXsDey5bJ2LzDl-j8sXKU7DNpMOSj_ih/s400/DSC_2702.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><span style="color: #990000;">One
day, one of the eight immortals (Note 1), Lu Dongbin, came down to the
Saha World (Note 2) to help people out who were in great difficulties.
While he was on the way, he met a youth sitting by the road side crying
heavily. He approached the youth and asked him, "Mister, why are you
crying? Do you have any difficulties?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">"My
mother is very sick and my father had passed away. I do not have any
money to hire a doctor to see her. I want to go to work but nobody will
take care of my mother while I am away?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">The
immortal was very touched by the fidelity of this youth and therefore
he decided to help him out by performing a miracle. He pointed his
finger at a piece of stone by the road side and turned it into gold
immediately. Then he gave the piece of gold to the youth. To his
surprise the youth refused to accept it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">The
immortal was even touched, because the youth must be a devout Buddhist,
renouncing wealth. "Why don't you accept the piece of gold. It should
keep your family going for a long time."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">The
youth replied, "If I accept it, sooner or later I will spend it all.
Therefore, I do not want the piece of gold. I want your finger, because I
can use it to turn everything into gold and I will be the richest man
on earth."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Upon hearing
this, the immortal gave a sigh at the greediness of human beings,
restored the piece of gold back to stone, and returned to heaven.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="post-icons" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1em;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></span>Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-28986632191789849702013-02-16T06:00:00.001-08:002013-02-16T06:00:30.971-08:00IBS Up Coming Event <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ntGtREQXCzqbvBfQ6qsoA57TgfJ7WwdeXUqB8y3IrrB4FkMD11nx2BHSQgwYbbD7gfRDBfcw1I9ZUuZu96cVJO4CTve8LxRGG3Td4-mxMFOoVX7sWbtQwWOcK_62aQl9iWGtfdm8D4/s1600/Calipatria+State+Prison+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ntGtREQXCzqbvBfQ6qsoA57TgfJ7WwdeXUqB8y3IrrB4FkMD11nx2BHSQgwYbbD7gfRDBfcw1I9ZUuZu96cVJO4CTve8LxRGG3Td4-mxMFOoVX7sWbtQwWOcK_62aQl9iWGtfdm8D4/s320/Calipatria+State+Prison+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>My dear Dharma friends, </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>Your past support of the International
Boddhisatva Sangha (IBS) has transformed the lives of hundreds of
inmates in six Southern California state prisons. Today I write to tell
you about a major expansion we are launching to Northern California,
and to request your help to make it possible. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>As you know, IBS
has been visiting state prisons since 1995. With the great help of many
organizations and compassionate friends, we recently set up Buddhist
libraries in each prison, and in some other prisons we are not able to
visit.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>In recent months, we lost about 50 students in 4 different
institutions because they were transferred to state prisons in Northern
California. Sometimes bad things like this happen for a good reason.
The good news is they have applied their many years of Dharma practice
by sharing it with new friends. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>I<span>n</span> Sutra says that
sharing the Dharma is the greatest of all possible gifts, and we are
very proud of our diligent students for putting their learning into
action. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>IBS promised to our transferred students that if they
keep up their practice and share it with others, we will continue to
support them however we can. To keep this promise, we will need your
help! </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>Our brothers in nine different Northern California prisons
are requesting Buddhist services. Although these prisons are too far
from San Diego to visit every month, we have sent proposals to the
wardens in all nine prisons to set up a Buddhist library and to visit at
least quarterly or twice a year. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>We are very pleased that five
prisons, with four yards each, have already agreed to accept our
program. This is where we need your help. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>With your support, we
would like to visit each prison in March, to set up the 20 libraries and
provide a service for our Dharma brother inmates. I am sure we can
count on the generosity of several organizations to collect the 6000
books we will need: The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Amithaba Buddhist
Society Los Angeles, Amithaba Buddhist Society San Jose, Metta Forest
Monastery, Dharma Bum Temple San Diego, etc. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>Our plan is to
undertake a <span>7</span>-day trip to Northern California to visit the five
prisons. For this, IBS needs financial support for transportation,
lodging, and food for five people. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>If you think this trip is
meaningful and benevolent, please support it to the extent you are able.
I can assure you your donation will change the lives of many people in
the iron temples (prisons). </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>It is my vision that within 10
years, IBS will be bringing the Dharma to all 36 California state
prisons. But this will only be possible with your support. Please help
this program and restore the hope and happiness in many peoples' lives. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>Please send your donation to the address below, or feel free to
contact me at zhongibs@hotmail.com or 619-450-3699 with any questions or
suggestions you may have about our trip. </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>International Bodhisattva Sangha </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>12584 Sora Way </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>San Diego CA 92129 </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>Amitofo, </span></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span>Xian<span>z</span>hong<span> S<span>hi</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-51257218986812516862013-02-01T06:00:00.002-08:002013-02-01T06:00:56.877-08:00Motivation
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3QQtXU8QnHyoPse9Fw4wPhTfUmNa_sTyM5soJiG-MW2WDpUMflhJ7otHeg4UbemTDS8fqhyphenhyphenoaRivj8MMOZAgB1QNxhOzJb3CKJqQkqgAT9qGaldp_JqcJUXmkHDUh3lREG2LTCmdK7o/s1600/431389_3104386402770_652720296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3QQtXU8QnHyoPse9Fw4wPhTfUmNa_sTyM5soJiG-MW2WDpUMflhJ7otHeg4UbemTDS8fqhyphenhyphenoaRivj8MMOZAgB1QNxhOzJb3CKJqQkqgAT9qGaldp_JqcJUXmkHDUh3lREG2LTCmdK7o/s320/431389_3104386402770_652720296_n.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">MOTIVATION</span></b></span></span></u></div>
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</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is motivation? How do we create
good motivation?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Motivation, in essence, is a
thought in our mind with an intention to carry out a certain task. There are
three types of motivation when we listen, teach, or practice the Dharma: Good,
Bad, and Neutral.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good Motivation - This kind of
motivation arises from the depth of our heart to benefit all sentient beings
with a thorough understanding that all phenomena is interdependent and that the
manifestation as a sentient being is the condition for one to realize the
ultimate truth..</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Neutral Motivation - This kind of
motivation is a mere flow of an intended action with no insightful knowledge of
the benefits from listening to the Dharma teaching and practice. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bad Motivation - This kind of motivation
is usually associated with solely thinking about one self’s benefits such as
for wealth, name, fame, and publicity. This kind of motivation is considered
impure. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Motivation is the foundation of our
practice. As such, if our motivation is good we may be able to practice and
overcome different defilements. An analogy is when building a structure, the
foundation is very important. If the foundation is strong enough, then the
higher the structure can be built. Conversely, a structure with a poor foundation
is likely to fall apart easily. Much as the same as our practice, a solid
foundation is necessary not only for today or tomorrow but all the way until
the ultimate truth is realized. In general, if our foundation is not stable, it
will be very difficult to smoothly attain our end desired goal. Knowing that a
good foundation is imperative for practicing, we must put forth a diligent
effort in trying to make it as strong as possible. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. While we are listening to the
Dharma, we have to avoid the four kinds of falsehoods as described below using
a jug as the metaphorical symbol of our mind. The four types of mistakes are
often committed and should be avoided in order to effectively follow the Dharma
teaching.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Inverted Jug</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Leaking Jug</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Impure Jug </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Full Jug</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.Inverted Jug - A jug being upside
down cannot hold any water no matter how much effort one puts into it. This is
symbolic of our mind not being fully receptive even if a great master was
providing the teachings as a result of our mind being closed. Regardless of how
much teaching is received, it will not be absorbed nor retained. Having an open
mind with respect, devotion, and humility is necessary to readily receive the
genuine teachings of the Dharma.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Leaking Jug - A clean jug in the
upright position is useless if it contains a hole at the bottom. No matter how
much pure water is placed into that jug, it will not remain in the container.
This is likened to listening to the Dharma when the message passes through one
ear and exits out the other ear. As such, the teaching of the Dharma will not
be grasped because the message is not retained in our mind. The human mind
possesses incredible power and capability. This is evident in the level of
science and technology in today’s modern world. An airplane will allow us to
travel anywhere in this world within a matter of hours. The internet will allow
one to assess a wealth of information in the convenience of being at a desk at
the touch of a fingertip. Cell phones can allow you to talk to anybody while
you move about. These are just a few products derived from the human mind. From
a spiritual standpoint, the mind also possesses the ability to attain the
ultimate happiness and truth. A mind listening with attentiveness will be able
to reap the benefits of the Dharma.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Impure Jug - This is a jug with
no holes and is not upside down but contains filthy water. Even if the amount
is small, adding pure water to a jug filled partially with dirty water will
result in the entire pool being dirty. This analogy can be akin to avoiding
having wrong views about the Dharma and other bad thoughts about the teachings.
While listening to the Dharma with such a mind, the genuine Dharma will also
become impure and will prevent one from progressing farther in their practice.
While we are listening to the Dharma, we have to listen with a pure mind. In
the Buddha’s teaching, the Buddha is like a guide, the Dharma is the path, and
the Sangha is the company dedicated to helping all sentient beings reach
liberation. Listening to the Dharma with a pure mind means that we must have
devotion, respect, and kindness for the Triple Gems in order to have the right
condition to receive the Buddha’s teachings.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div style="margin-top: 0.1pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Full Jug - This is a jug that is
already full. If someone wants to put some more water into it, even if it is
pure water, the water will just spill over since it cannot accommodate anymore.
Like a full jug, a mind full of arrogance does have the will to learn from
others with the pretentious belief that he/she already knows everything. When
we listen to the Dharma, even if it is a subject that we are already familiar
with, we should still listen very carefully without arrogance because listening
to the teachings over and over again will allow one to gain further additional
insight and to attain a deeper meaning behind the teaching. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
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</span></span>Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-7467734247355128182013-01-09T20:12:00.001-08:002013-01-09T20:15:56.224-08:001 OF 15 Question to Ven. Xianzhong <style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold"; font-size: 29.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Std W8"; mso-bidi-font-size: 48.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Transforming
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #33cc33; font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Std W8"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IBS Prison Program in San Diego
California USA</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #33cc33; font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqPujhaK4YZtUC4ewQhyphenhyphengsEmHxF8KBSHxmFTXDSElgKZyglEnr_ZlZOS-i-DljLS7-vHbVTykIllrUVCRnbivIqXhv7wyYVfjzZZqUmuS9ld6AyQ7_kmjQmmjB3OpkerJho_bPuG10q4/s1600/36512_576188019063426_900081084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqPujhaK4YZtUC4ewQhyphenhyphengsEmHxF8KBSHxmFTXDSElgKZyglEnr_ZlZOS-i-DljLS7-vHbVTykIllrUVCRnbivIqXhv7wyYVfjzZZqUmuS9ld6AyQ7_kmjQmmjB3OpkerJho_bPuG10q4/s400/36512_576188019063426_900081084_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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with Ven. Xian Zhong</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Std W8"; mso-bidi-font-size: 48.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Questions to Ven. Xian Zhong by
disciple Lih Hwa</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">---------------------------------------------------</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Q1.
Venerable Xian Zhong, it was said that last month's visitation to the prison in
order to spread dharma, resulted in more than 100 inmates receiving the five
precepts. This is absolutely auspicious;
would you elaborate the reason and the cause of initiating such program?</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ven.
Ans:- While my Master was a student as UCSD, before renouncing his life as a
layman, he taught a Buddhism class at a temple that focused on disseminating
dharma for the westerners. One of his students at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6931602677370381134" name="_GoBack"></a>
the temple was a radio station host.
In 1994 after my Master became ordained in Taiwan to become a monk and
upon his return to the United States, the student wanted to interview him
because he realized that many listeners have problems with drug addiction and
he wanted to have an open discussion on how to change bad habits from a
Buddhist perspective. During the
broadcast, some inmates at the Calipatria State Prison were listening to the
radio program. After the
interview, the inmates wrote to the temple and expressed a desire to learn more
about Buddhism and ultimately requested regular teachings to be provided at Calipatria
State Prison. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Because
Master still needed to complete his training in Taiwan, he was not able to meet
with the inmates at that time. He
requested Mr. and Mrs. Tam to facilitate the spreading of the dharma. Thus the beginning of the prison program
ensued, which has persevered for the past 17 years.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Apple Casual"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">“Negative acts are easy to commit,</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Apple Casual"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">but it is difficult to cultivate wholesome deeds.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple LiSung Light"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">”</span></b></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-37284752547504248182012-12-28T12:38:00.000-08:002012-12-28T12:38:00.835-08:00 With a bow. Amitofo!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM5MxnF1RXgxqSGLRwB7uZSvjBV-cOGgUz-v1b70NmFNN5gcAQq6E5AN0g_4wkM9TxNPOnCvJe5lkBTubKZrJs1omCUAui8h9L3AEdG2vTcuYmYq_lcd3f4m6y3FHrRMhrBAcbqECDyg/s1600/IMG_5262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM5MxnF1RXgxqSGLRwB7uZSvjBV-cOGgUz-v1b70NmFNN5gcAQq6E5AN0g_4wkM9TxNPOnCvJe5lkBTubKZrJs1omCUAui8h9L3AEdG2vTcuYmYq_lcd3f4m6y3FHrRMhrBAcbqECDyg/s320/IMG_5262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ven. Zhong
and Sister Shirley<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6931602677370381134" name="_GoBack"></a>,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Thank you dharma family for all the support and
encouragement.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The expression of Bodhicitta, pranjna, metta you’re
continuously offered has brought my life joy ease which has enabled my mind to
experience Lord Buddha’s teachings pragmatically. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The community here at Centinela has also been strengthened by
your presence. Your monthly visit is anxiously anticipated by all, as if a
close family member were coming to see us. Thank you.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The books, materials and necessary artifacts for our altar
enable us to grow as a community in your absence, while enriching our
individual practices and thirst for the Dharma.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">International Bodhisattva Sangha is Lord Buddha’s way of
arranging appearance for all. Master Hueiguang, Ven. Xian Zhong and our
wonderful Sister Shirley have truly provided and filled in many areas of our
lives, when our minds would have led us to believe no roads were of benefit to
us.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Brothers, Sisters, Friends, I am a very ignorant person, and
quite familiar with such view, but second changes and built within each
decision we make, for if it was not so then externalism and nihilism would be
reasonable view. However, we know karma is true so we have hope and trust in
such cause and effect. Thereby (Sila) we can tap into our potential becoming
better human beings. Building on the premise of Bodhicitta, breaking the
beginningless cycles, and its right worldly concerns. Yes, hope based on
experience strengthens one’s faith and trust. Thank you for giving me a second
chance to be part of this family.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Till next
month, I hope you all are enjoying the festivities of these holidays, and know
you are in my thoughts.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">With metta,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Dino <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931602677370381134.post-4058124982545868992012-12-26T20:31:00.001-08:002012-12-26T22:02:28.120-08:00Last Sunday <style>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6H3EQ35ext6VJsP9vCj5HgWkmWY7LZ-kr9dh53O_qXw3GcWkawHo1X5QAQ1RUCO6KONsvrB5L-rnPzzHWjd6j2_e4yKvaXrX-371RjhmwrFn4c32OTYWnqpoVxpW3PyLHdrcHlVpNN0/s1600/IMG_4639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6H3EQ35ext6VJsP9vCj5HgWkmWY7LZ-kr9dh53O_qXw3GcWkawHo1X5QAQ1RUCO6KONsvrB5L-rnPzzHWjd6j2_e4yKvaXrX-371RjhmwrFn4c32OTYWnqpoVxpW3PyLHdrcHlVpNN0/s320/IMG_4639.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #660000;">Ven. Xian
Zhong, Shirley and Danny from IBS came to visit us last Sunday Dec 16<sup>th</sup>
with a good lesson. Our Sangha (Sunyata Sangha) has been setup for 5 weeks and
slowly getting stronger. Because of its newness we have been going over a lots
of the rituals, prostrations, etc. I was very glad when our teacher Ven. Xain
Zhong went over the correct way to prostrate. I did not know it had an element
to a workout to it. I also did not know that there was a correct way to breathe
when you do it but when you know the reason why it all makes sense. I also
learned that there I a very good and coherent way to explain the prostrations
to people think that we are worshiping an IDOL; when in fact we are respecting
the teacher and teachings of a wise one that came before us. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">I feel real
good and ready to take on the world when our teacher comes. I get hope from
seeing them and that renewal of spirit carries over in to our weekly Sangha
meeting. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">My goal is to
make our Sangha stronger and benefit more people through our Sangha. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">Brother Mccollom</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">President of
Sunyata Sangha </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Ven. Xian Zhonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613788042701155160noreply@blogger.com